Apple Spice Cake

1 stick of margarine (I used butter as it is what I had on hand)
1/2 cup solid shortening
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, beaten
2 cups flour
2 Teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 Teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon salt
5 cups peeled, cored and chopped apples
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup seedless raisins

Prheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a Bundt pan. ( I think a 13 x 9 inch would work well also).
Cream together the margarine (or butter), shortening and sugar.
Add in eggs and mix until fluffy.
Mix in flour, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, baking soda and salt.
The batter will be very creamy.
Fold in apple chunks, pecans and raisins.
Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes. (I had to bake mine for 60 minutes in a Bundt pan, but a 13 x 9 would likely bake about 40 minutes).
Bake until a toothpick comes out clean.
Remove from pan (if using a Bundt pan) and let cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting

5 Tablespoons butter
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a small pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar and salt.
Cook, stirring until the sugar melts.
Add the milk, bring to a boil, and pour into a mixing bowl.
Cool for 10 minutes.
Stir in confectioners sugar and vanilla.
Beat well. ( I wanted a soft frosting so I added enough more milk to make it 'pourable' over the Bundt cake). Add more confectioners sugar or milk to make is as thick or thin as you like.

I took this to work with me and was told it was 'to die for'!